The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Youth Service (NYS) will be among organizations listed by the government to take over operations at the troubled Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) on a caretaker basis.
The announcement was made by the government through the agency's chairperson Mary Chao Mwadime advising all non-core staff to proceed on a 30-day leave as restructuring of the body takes place.
During the period, the operations at KEMSA will be run by a lean team drawn from some core employees and other government entities.
The employees on the 30-day break will also be evaluated and appraisal reports filed within the notice period.
Mwadime confirmed that the necessary interventions have been put in place to avoid undue disruptions to service delivery and day to day operations.
The board stated that it had conducted a review at the agency and found that some of the challenges ailing KEMSA will require further review around three key areas which include:
1. Structure - The organisation structure establishes the degree to which it is constrained in achieving the strategic objectives.
2. Governance - To determine the best-fit approach to leadership and oversight across the organisation.
3. Processes - To determine gaps in the organisation processes, procedures and technology.
Mwadime further stated that the board is committed to facilitating the necessary reforms to ensure the challenges at KEMSA are addressed.
"This commitment includes aligning the organisational structure to industry-accepted standards for a health commodities and technologies procurement organisation," she said.
"It also calls for the introduction of global best practices, which include: acceptable span of control, transparent reporting relationships and command structures, compounding related functions for strengthened accountability and a re-determination of optimal staffing levels and norms."
This comes after the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) recommended the sacking of nearly half of the Kemsa staff.
Reports intimated that the mass firing will affect about 920 employees and sacking letters were drafted on Monday, November 1, 2021.
The Ministry of Health recommended investigations by the State Corporations Advisory Committee, whose mandate is to advise the government on the general administration of state corporations.
SCAC officials met with MoH bosses last month where the idea of restructuring Kemsa was recommended. During the meeting, it was agreed that a clean-up at the agency should be implemented to bring on board fresh blood to run the parastatal.
